The University of Western Ontario Faculty Association (UWOFA) is a union representing about 1,500 faculty members and 50 librarians and archivists at the University of Western Ontario in London.
UWOFA negotiates collective agreements, advises members on employment matters, handles workplace disputes and grievances, and advances the professional interests of faculty members, academic librarians and archivists.
In the broader community, UWOFA representatives meet with provincial and federal politicians to ensure members' voices are heard and reflected in education and labour policy decisions. As well, UWOFA strives to engage members and citizens through awareness campaigns regarding post-secondary education during general membership meetings, community events, contact with journalists, and town hall discussions.
UWOFA Voices: ‘A better choice is to get up and do my part, however small that might be’
In a new series, UWOFA members share how they came to be active supporters of their union.
By Ann Bigelow
A lot of people just like me have fought to get me the rights I have today, and in today’s world, we need to be fighting to keep what we’ve already got, not just trying to get more fairness. If generations of workers had not given their time to improve our working conditions; if Rosa Parks had not resisted bus segregation; if the Famous Five had not stood up for the rights of women and children, society would not have progressed. I just want to make a small contribution, and by doing so, I am fighting for what I believe in.
